Our vision of Christian Education at Saint Andrew's
is inclusive, providing opportunities for personal
spiritual growth to every member. It begins with
providing support for parents at the baptism of
their children through the elementary years, the
Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation), high school,
and continues through all the years beyond. We are
never finished with our faith. It is an ever-growing,
ever-maturing, constantly changing process. It is
new insights into God's Word, new challenges to
our faith in difficult circumstances, and deeper
understandings of God's unconditional love. It is
a day-to-day faith journey…until the day God calls
us home. Opportunities for Christian Education at
Saint Andrew's are as follows:
ADULT EDUCATION Men's Morning
Bible Study, the Tuesday Morning Bible
Study, Faith Journey and the Education
Hour on Sunday mornings provide opportunities
for all adult members to gather around the Word
of God. There are multiple class offerings during
the Adult Education hour to meet the variety of
needs and interests in our adult membership, along
with additional small group Bible studies that
meet during the week.
CONFIRMATION (Affirmation of Baptism)
Our faithful teaching team continues to challenge
our young people in grades 6 - 8 as they prepare
for the Affirmation of their Baptism. The curriculum
includes study of the Old and New Testaments,
Luther's Catechism, ethic issues in the context
of the Ten Commandments, and visiting the worship
services of other faiths. The Mentor Ministry
links adults of mature faith with the young people
to support, encourage and engage in discussions
on faith issues during their confirmation years.
SUNDAY CHURCH SCHOOL The Sunday
Church School ministry provides faith-learning
experiences for children from 2 years of age through
5th grade. We are currently using the "Life Together"
curriculum by Augsburg Fortress, a lectionary-based
curriculum, for most of the classes. The lessons
in Sunday Church School and the children's worship
bulletins are the same as those in the worship
service. The curriculum also follows the major
parts of the worship service, Gather, Hear, Celebrate
and Send, in order to help the children relate
their Sunday Church School experience to the worship
service.
HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY A special
educational opportunity for high school youth
is offered through the High School Bible Class
on Sunday mornings. Here they are able to build
on their foundation of faith following the Affirmation
of Baptism. The High School students meet during
the Education Hour for Bible studies, discussions
on current issues, a look at other faiths and
religions, and a variety of topics of interest
to students during their high school years.
FAITH STEPPING STONES Faith Stepping
Stones provides a way for parents and the church
family to bless children again and again as they
grow and learn more about God and God's love for
us. We are all caretakers of the faith…faith in
relation to the temporal blessings (God's provision
while we are here on earth as reflected in the
gifts of Bible, catechism, stoles, quilts, prayer
pillows etc) and the eternal blessings of eternal
life with God. Faith Stepping Stones also assist
parents in fulfilling the promises made at baptism
to 1) teach the Lord's Prayer and Ten Commandments;
2) place the Holy Scriptures in the hands of their
children; and 3) provide instruction in Christian
faith so the children may lead a holy life.
FIRST COMMUNION In Holy Baptism
we promise to support parents as they introduce
their children to the faith journey, and get ready
for the child's participation in the Lord's Supper.
The First Communion Ministry gives families an
opportunity to share together an understanding
of the Meal by using "The Welcome Table" and "A
Place for You," two books designed as instruction
for young children. The age at which children
first come to the Table is a personal, family
decision made in partnership with Pastor McEachran.
Our mission is to assist and support the parents
when that time comes.
VACATION
BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School
at Saint Andrew's is usually held at the end of
July for children from 2 years of age through
6th grade. The students are given an opportunity
in a relaxed atmosphere to experience God's Word
in drama, singing, games, puzzles and crafts.
Students in grades 4-6 are part of a VBS Camp
experience, traveling each day to a different
environment that relates to the story in some
way.
CHURCH LIBRARY The library is
located next to the sanctuary and offers 2000
adult and juvenile books which stimulate and nurture
your spiritual growth, and provide support in
times of need. The library collection includes
thought-provoking novels, non-fiction from credible
sources, special collections for the church seasons,and
a number of reference items for Bible study. The
library has two computers and a selection of Bible
reference and Christian entertainment software.
Adittionally, the library offers useful and unique
magazines, videos and audio tapes. Check-out periods
range from one week for periodicals, video and
audio tapes to one month for printed materials.
Church visitors may borrow materials by leaving
their name, address, and phone numbers. The library
is open and staffed on Sunday mornings, and is
available throughout the week by checking in with
the church office. It is a pleasant environment
for quiet reading or meditation, and a comfortable
and convenient meeting spot for small groups.
A kitchenette adjoins the library for beverage
service.
NURSERY The Nursery is open for
both the 8:30 and 11:00 services during the Sunday
Church School year and for the 11:00 service during
the summer. The nursery is staffed by two paid
attendants, and supported by volunteer parents.
Saint Andrew's is working to grow this ministry
within Christian Education and reach out to parents
and children from the point of baptism until they
enter the Sunday Church School Program. It is
the goal of the Nursery to nurture both parent
and child by providing a comfortable and welcome
home for both as they continue on their families'
walk with God.